Death Feud 7

Capitán Arturo Toledano felt a knot forming in his stomach. He had been relieved to finally make his way back to Santa Ana when halfway he and his men met up with a messenger, who was on his way to Monterey to relay the next attack and its message to the governor. The news spurred on his efforts to reach his garrison. He was glad he had convinced his wife, Raquel, to spend some time at her friend's in San Pedro. Of course, he couldn't have known Santa Ana would be a target, but his gut feeling hadn't betrayed him.

Now he was even more eager to return, but it was at least two more days in the saddle. And a nagging feeling told him he'd better go straight to Los Angeles. He'd have another day at least to make up his mind whether to follow his gut or his duty.

Toledano's gaze fell on his soldiers, sleeping around the campfire. After having met up with the messenger, the capitán had forfeited staying at the inn along the road to keep riding until dark and camping out. He felt a bit sorry for the lancers but it made him feel better, knowing he'd cut down on the time until arrival in either Santa Ana or Los Angeles. And time was of the essence.

***ZzZ***

When Diego de la Vega returned to his father's hacienda, it was afternoon. He had spent the last hours spreading the information about the latest attack and the possible perpetrator to the dons, encouraging them to up the vigilance in the pueblo. He was tired and wanted nothing more than to rest. The horse, which Benito, their caporal, was leading towards the stables, reminded Diego that they were having a visitor for the night.

Despite his weariness, a grin spread on his face. As he entered the patio, his faithful friend Bernardo came down the stairs, bearing an even bigger grin on his face. The shorter man showed his teeth and wiggled his fingers with a quick wink at his master. Diego de la Vega chuckled. He knew exactly what, or rather who, Bernardo was implying. Still laughing, he shook his head as his mozo wanted to pass him.

"No, my friend. There won't be any more..." he wiggled his fingers, "for you to watch tonight. I'm beat, and I need to rest a bit before supper."

Bernardo laughed silently and nodded. Then he tipped his forehead with his index finger before wiggling them again. This elicited a near snort from Diego.

"Ah, Bernardo, you are incorrigible. So you think I should make my father happy and court Señorita Soledad?" The mozo nodded eagerly. "Now don't you think there's currently something more important going on?" Bernardo nodded briefly, then shook his head and added a few signs. "Oh, you think it's more important to keep Soledad safe?" Another nod confirmed Diego's translation. "Well, you're right there, mi amigo. I could never again face Raúl if anything would happen to Soledad at the hands of this madman. And yes," he picked up on Bernardo pointing vigorously at him, "I wouldn't be able to face myself anymore. But let's not assume the worst, Bernardo. Zorro will make sure she's safe. Now go and take care of my horse, you lazy sluggard."

Bernardo put on a mock offended face which only made Diego laugh even harder, and the young don walked up to his room to freshen up a bit before facing his father and the señorita he so enjoyed being in the company with.

***ZzZ***

Calisto Sola was enjoying the quiet in the tavern. Earlier on, he had mingled with the people of San Pedro and had secretly enjoyed the attention his little stunts had earned. Keeping a straight face, he relished in the fear he detected in the people's voices and behavior. Maybe his plans with Los Angeles would have the mob putting the governor under additional pressure. Now, Calisto lay stretched out on the bed, planning his next move.

He'd leave for Los Angeles after breakfast so he'd arrive there in time for supper without having to rush himself. The past three days he'd been working on his disguise and he was confident his moustache was thick enough by now. In Los Angeles, he'd go his usual routine of spying on the garrison. But he'd also have to keep his ears open about that bandido, El Zorro. Though Sola was certain the tales he'd heard about the highwayman were more myth than truth, he'd have to be prepared in case the masked man chose to interfere.

He was sure about one thing though. No matter if that fox really was the master swordsman they said he was or not, crossing blades with him was not an option due to his own blasted disability with the foil. He'd have to take him out in another way. And he just knew which way that would be. The sick smile crept back onto his face as Calisto got up to start packing his belongings.

***ZzZ***

Five riders made their way through the rocky surroundings from Malvar to San Carlos. Raúl Fabregás and his vaquero, as well as his fiancée Graciana along with her father and aunt. Graciana had been overjoyed when Raúl had arrived a few days earlier and proposed to her. The idea of moving to Los Angeles had appealed to her and the anticipation made her feel all giddy. She would see Soledad again, whom she had grown quite fond of.

When Raúl had asked her father for her hand, Don Guillermo had gladly accepted, but insisted on accompanying them so he could be there at the wedding in Los Angeles to give the bride away. And Doña Leonar, his sister-in-law, had volunteered to act as dueña. Her mother, however, had decided to stay behind, as she didn't take well to sea travel. There had been a very emotional goodbye and Doña Elisa had elicited the promise from Raúl that they would visit for a lengthy time when her first grandchild was old enough to travel.

Now the small party made their way to the harbor where they would board the next ship headed north. Raúl had relayed his eagerness to return as soon as possible so his sister wouldn't have to deal with the rancho alone for too long. When they arrived at San Carlos, they found that the next ship to San Diego would leave in the morning. Renting rooms at the inn for the night, they heard during supper about the mysterious attacks on the garrisons of San Diego and Santa Ana. For a reason he couldn't fathom, Raúl had a foreboding sense of dread. It didn't sound good and even though there hadn't been such stories from Los Angeles, Raúl could hardly wait to get home to see with his own eyes that everything was alright.

***ZzZ***

When Diego entered the sala, wearing a fresh, clean suit of dark blue color, Soledad knew she had the silliest smile on her face, but she just couldn't take her eyes off him. Diego's eyes fell on her and he broke into a brilliant smile while walking towards her. Taking her hand into his, he pressed a soft kiss onto the back of her right hand.

"Buenas tardes, Señorita. It's wonderful of you to grace our table with your beauty." The look in his eyes, which had locked with hers, spoke volumes, and Alejandro had a very hard time stifling a happy, knowing laugh. Oh, si, Don Alejandro wasn't a fool, and he recognised a young man - and woman - in love a mile away. Suddenly, those grandchildren seemed to be very close.

"Gracias, Diego," Soledad replied pleasantly, her face mirroring his smile. Holding onto her hand for a moment longer than he needed to, the caballero walked on to take his seat. He looked at the other man and straightened.

"Con permiso, Father," he said with the tiniest twinge of uncertainty, before taking his seat next to Alejandro. Looking into his father's eyes, Diego noticed an approving twinkle and couldn't keep his cheeks from coloring slightly.

"So," Don Alejandro started when the servants, save for Bernardo, had left the room. "What is going on between you two?" Diego, who had just sipped on his wine, almost coughed.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Father," Diego managed to reply without giving indication in his voice that the question hit a chord. A quick glance at Soledad showed Diego she had a similar reaction to the question. Meeting her eyes briefly, he trained his attention back on his father, when the older man spoke again.

"Diego, I may be many things, but blind isn't one of them..." Diego winced inadvertently, wondering if this statement had anything to do with the puzzles his father seemed to throw at him all the time lately. "I have got eyes in my head, mi hijo, and they haven't missed the smoldering looks the two of you cast at each other. Is there anything I should know of?" Alejandro tried to sound gruff, but a smile tugged slightly at the corners of his mouth.

Soledad recovered from her surprise and decided that an open attack would be the best defence. "Don Alejandro, obviously I can only speak for myself, but I certainly would love it if something was to be going on." She threw a sly glance at Diego. "So far nothing has happened, but I'm waiting... patiently."

Diego almost choked on his wine again. How was it, that today of all days, he chose to have a sip at the most inopportune times? From the corner of his eyes, he saw Bernardo standing there, looking either ready to burst with laughter or genuinely concerned. His father's voice brought him out of his thoughts.

"Diego? Aren't you going to say anything on the matter? I certainly hope the mutual attraction I think I'm detecting isn't only there in my imagination."

Oh joy, his father was on a confrontation course. Diego just hoped it wouldn't be a collision course. He cleared his throat and firmly put his wine glass down. No more almost choking on it today.

"Si, Father. You are not blind. I am attracted to Soledad," he looked at her and caught her smile, which warmed and reassured him. "We just haven't gotten around to talking about it, yet," Diego concluded, slightly hesitant.

"Well, you better speed up, my son. I am not getting any younger and I would like to see those grandchildren in my lifetime, por favor." Alejandro stopped abruptly when Soledad burst out laughing and Diego's face unmistakably said: I told you so. Joining in the laughter, Alejandro thought it was the perfect ending to the day. He finished his supper and then excused himself, retreating to the library with a glass of wine and a cigar.

Diego watched his father leave the sala and noticed Bernardo also leaving with a tray of leftovers. He caught the mozo's wink and knew Bernardo wouldn't return anytime soon. His eyes fell on Soledad again, who was busy studying the contents of her glass. Maybe now was the time to find out what she had been implying during the morning, telling him she was sure he knew how to contact Zorro. And maybe he'd gather even more courage and ask her for permission to court her.

***ZzZ***

Sergeant Garcia was pacing in his office, unable to shake off a feeling of unease and danger. He was glad for the dons that kept watch with his lancers. The news from Corporal Reyes, who was still in Santa Ana, having to wait for the return of a commanding officer, like Capitán Toledano, had him worried. He hadn't even been able to finish a second helping of supper that evening, and that was saying a lot.

A knock on the door drew him out of his somber thoughts. "Enter," he called, and the door opened. In came Don Nacho, informing him that the vigilance guards were changing shift now.

"Gracias, Don Nacho," Garcia thanked him. "I hope you and the other dons will have a good rest. You can't know how much I..., we, appreciate your help."

Don Nacho nodded and smiled. "But, Sergeant, this is about the safety of the pueblo. Of course we help. It is an honor, and our duty."

With that, the dons that were done with their shift left the garrison and Garcia joined the new shift to do a final inspection himself before he would retire for the night.

***ZzZ***

Soledad had a predatorial smirk on her face. She could read all the questions running through Diego's mind as he looked at her. After a few moments, Diego picked up his glass and walked over to sit right next to her. Halfway to her, he changed his mind and decided to take her out on the patio. He stood next to her, offering his hand.

"May I ask you to sit with me outside?" he asked charmingly. Soledad smiled, nodded and took his hand, following him to the set of chairs under the tree in the middle of the patio. He held the chair after setting down the wine glasses on the small table, and she gladly took the invitation.

"Soledad, I've been meaning to ask you something," Diego started, unsure how to progress from there.

"Why, Diego. You look nervous," Soledad jested, "won't you rather sit down?"

Diego smiled wryly and grabbed another chair to comply. Whatever is wrong with you? Diego asked himself. He knew he had no reason to be nervous, she had practically already told him she'd love for their relationship to progress. Maybe it was the subtle comments about Zorro that she'd dropped at him that made him nervous. Did she know? Or suspect? Diego sighed. Only one way to find out, he thought.

"Soledad," he started, "I would like to have your permission to court you."

Soledad somehow managed to keep a straight face and said nothing. Picking up on the silence, Diego put on a slight frown. First, she more or less forced him to voice what he thought they both wanted and now she didn't say a word.

"Diego," she replied, trying hard not to laugh at the almost indignant look on his face. "I thought that's what we've been doing all this time now. I was under the impression it's time for the next step."

Understanding dawned on Diego and he broke into a big grin. Taking Soledad's hand in his, he placed a kiss on the back of it and then, keeping her hand in his, he went down on one knee. Lifting his gaze, he finally saw her face lighting up with a smile.

"Soledad Fabregás, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Si, Diego. I will. I thought you'd never ask," she beamed and pulled him up to his feet. They were standing mere inches apart, staring each other in the eyes, both of them smiling all along. Then they grew serious and ever so slowly, Diego leaned his head down to capture her lips in a gentle kiss.

"May the saints be praised," the loud voice of Alejandro de la Vega boomed across the patio. Diego and Soledad almost jumped apart and the grinned sheepishly.

"Father," Diego called, turning around to face the man who was walking towards them. "May I present to you my fiancée?"

Alejandro raised one eyebrow and then went to Soledad and engulfed her in a fatherly hug. "Congratulations, my dear. And welcome to the family."